User:Elexaj/Gobius Niger (Black Goby)

Black Goby Body Description
Six characteristics are accounted for in the Black goby body such as the number of rays in first dorsal fin, second dorsal fin, pectoral fin, ventral fin, the anal fin and in caudal fin. Their proportions are determined by total length, eye length, head length, body length, caudal length, standard length, and maximum and minimum body height. The dorsal fins are linked together and help stabilize turning movements. There is also a dark spot on the top of each dorsal fin. The pectoral and caudal fins are supported by muscle and these fins are used for different purposes, such as moving forward, turning, gliding, keeping an upright position or stopping. The scales of a Black goby are distinctive from reptile scales. There is between 15 and 16 series of scales from the dorsal fins to the anal fins. The anal fins specifically help stabilize equilibrium. There are four main types of scales found in the Black goby including placoid, ganoid, ctenoid, and cycloid. The purposes of these scales are to allow projection of enamel, efficient swimming, stored energy, shine, soft and rough edges. Specifically, the ctenoid and cycloid scales produce growth rings and allow scientists to determine age. Epithelial cells are used for the main purpose of protecting the scales, so their skin is covered with epidermis and dermis. The epidermis contains two layers of produced slime for protection of parasites and the dermis serves as protection from germs.

Black Gobies Predator Performance
Black gobies attract prey during the season of Autumn. They are highly active during the day making it more easier for prey to spot. Their posture is seen as straight to C-shaped, but more than half the Black goby population has a C-shaped posture. The C-shaped posture is a curved or a bend of the spine. Black gobies have small muscular contraction and a weak stimulus that can cause the initial escape to be affected. They are known for having slow movement and their posture does not allow them to move at a fast pace. The escape of a Black goby depends on how fast they will turn and at what direction. This is determined by a convex or concave turn. A smaller turn will enhance the performance level rather than a larger turn. A larger turn can jeopardize their entire survival.

Growth
The Black goby is a small bony fish that prefers to live in sandy or muddy bottoms of the Adriatic Sea. It is common for the Black gobies to live in areas like this because they adapt better to these types of environments. Their biomass is made up of a small portion and are most abundant in depths up to 50m. The male Black gobies are significantly larger the females. A female can reach a maximum of 15 cm while a male can reach a maximum of 16 cm. The Adriatic seas seem to attain a larger size of gobies than any other seas. It is common for Black gobies in the Adriatic Sea to grow at a faster rate and have a longer body. They are much larger because of their body proportions. Their second dorsal, anal and pectoral fins are slightly wider.

Feeding System
The Black gobies feed on tiny crustaceans, polychaetes and small fish

Reproduction System
The female black gobies spawn once a year between the months of April and August. Sexual maturity is reached by the end of their first year of life. Black gobies eggs can range in sizes based on how small and large their body proportions are.

Growth
The Black gobies in the Aegean Sea can reach lengths ranging from 6.2 to 15.9 cm. The males are relatively bigger than the females and their growth rates are much slower and lower compared to the other seas. This is caused by their length-weight relationship which can be affected by a number of factors, including season, habitat, gonad maturity, sex, diet and stomach fullness, health and preservation techniques, and differences in the length range. The maximum age Black gobies can reach is 5 years. These Black gobies are also found in muddy and sandy bottoms. They swim in depths between 2 and 70 m.

Reproduction System
Between November and February, females begin to spawn. Their eggs are relatively small and will hatch between 6 and 13 days depending on temperature. Females in this sea reach sexual maturity after one year of living. The males are found to be the dominant and sole providers. They will guard the females eggs under rocks or shells for protection.

Food System
The Black goby has a diet of eating small benthic invertebrates.

Growth
The Black gobies in the Mediterranean Sea are elongated and compressed. They are wider and the eyes are larger. They are also more scaled and slimy compared to other gobies in other seas. They can survive in depths more than 300m. Their age span differs depedning on their porpotional sizes. Small Black gobies reach two years of life where larger Black gobies can reach ten years of life.

Reproduction System
Spawning season begins between the months of March and May. They are sexually mature by two years and are four years of age when they formally begin spawning. The females will spawn with only one male. The male Black Goby will leave a sperm trail for the female to lay her eggs in. They attract females by producing steroids in the testicular gland. In the process of egg fertilization, the males will guard the eggs and make sure that no predators will get to them. Black gobies also have distinctive characteristics when it comes to spawning such as coloration for protection. After the black gobies have spawned, they begin looking for small hiding places to locate rather it be in sand or empty shells. They do this because they want to ensure that the eggs are protected by the holes in these locations. The eggs of the gobies are oblong in shape and have anchor filaments on one of the poles. After the eggs have been hatched, they begin swimming into the open ocean and feed on small zooplankton. As they further grow, they switch to their benthic life style.

Black Sea Commercial Fishing
The Black goby is the second largest percentage of fish captured by fisherman. Blue Sky Group for Import & Export is a key industry who sells Black gobies. The economic importance of the gobies is primarily for the local communities and cities states. Fishermen catch the most Black gobies during the Autumn season. Roughly around 0.04 Black gobies are captured in a fish trap, but the best way fisherman are able to capture Black gobies is by using the bottom angling technique.

The Effects of Pollution between Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea
Industrial wastes in the waters have a toxic effect on marine life. The erythrocytes and nucleus of the Black gobies in these seas have became deformed. They also become fusiform and shuttle-shaped due to all of the toxicity. This creates a drag for Black gobies to swim and causes behavioral effects. The metals that are reacting in the sea will affect their blood system, muscles and organs. The toxicity will cause morphology of red blood cells and will change how they will react to things since their body structures have changed. Their bodies will elongate horizontally.

Off Shore Windfarm and Noise Effects on Black Gobies
Black gobies are affected by noises in the sea mostly caused by pile driving and construction by near offshore wind farms. Pile driving has killed and caused hearing damage towards the Black gobies and other fishes in their environment. Black gobies in response to loud sounds will become spooked and find themselves threatened. Their behaviors will reflect from stress and panic. Black gobies have a higher sensitivity to noise, so the noise from wind turbines can have a lasting affect.